Family Fun

Kids 12 and under—always free!

The Wooden Boat Festival is a place for kids of all ages to find their next big adventure! It’s a festival for the whole family. Build a toy wooden boat, tour the harbor, explore the tall ships, row a rowboat, enjoy the plays, sing sea chanteys, dance to the live music at the main stage, go on a pirate treasure hunt, and more—kids love the Wooden Boat Festival!

Kids’ Boatbuilding

Kids Cove | Fri & Sat 10 AM-5 PM, Sun 10 AM-4 PM | Free!
Kids’ boatbuilding at the Wooden Boat Festival is a perennial favorite for kids of all ages! Watch your child’s face light up as they design, build, rig, and sail away with their own small wooden boat. Kids get to select a hull, a mast, and some sailcloth, and before you know it, life slows down while you help them hold a nail and share the joy of building a boat! Take that boat to the water to join in the fun and participate in the Sail By on Sunday at 3 PM!

Kids’ Boatbuilding

Kids Cove | Fri & Sat 10 AM-5 PM, Sun 10 AM-4 PM | Free!
Kids’ boatbuilding at the Wooden Boat Festival is a perennial favorite for kids of all ages! Watch your child’s face light up as they design, build, rig, and sail away with their own small wooden boat. Kids get to select a hull, a mast, and some sailcloth, and before you know it, life slows down while you help them hold a nail and share the joy of building a boat! Take that boat to the water to join in the fun and participate in the Sail By on Sunday at 3 PM!

Gyotaku-Fish Printing T-Shirts

Kids Cove | Fri & Sat 10 AM-5 PM, Sun 10 AM-4 PM
Print on t-shirts with fish in Kids’ Cove! Gyotaku is the traditional Japanese method of printing fish, a practice that dates back to the mid-1800s and was used by fishermen to record their catches. We use real fish to paint and make impressions on a t-shirt. Kids of all ages love Gyotaku. T-shirts cost $5 and printing is free! Hang your shirt up to dry while you tour Festival, then stop by on your way out to pick it up. Bring your own t-shirt for a free experience.

Captain Pirate’s Treasure Hunt

Cupola House | Sun 12 PM – 1 PM
At high noon on Sunday, young pirates from near and far make their way to the Jolly Roger Flag at the Cupola House. Anyone dressed like a pirate can join the hunt, scouring the grounds and beaches for the “X” that marks the spot of buried treasure.

North Star Stage Plays

Artist Row | Sat 11 AM – 12 PM, Sun 1 PM – 2 PM
Come see Captain Cloud’s Latest Adventure – another long-time Festival favorite. This short play will engage kids of all ages, and often encourages enthusiastic audience participation! Come sit on the hay bales and enjoy the hilarious, family-friendly play. Located behind Artist Row on the way to The Point.

On the Water Adventures

Admiral Jack Boat Tours

Come see the newly refitted comfortable catamaran, Admiral Jack! A comfortable tour boat in the summer and state-of-the-art floating classroom during the school year, Admiral Jack was relaunched in August of 2021 after a total refit. Join us for dockside tours, located at the Northwest Maritime Center dock. $10 per person.

Admiral Jack Boat Tours

Come see the newly refitted comfortable catamaran, Admiral Jack! A comfortable tour boat in the summer and state-of-the-art floating classroom during the school year, Admiral Jack was relaunched in August of 2021 after a total refit. Join us for dockside tours, located at the Northwest Maritime Center dock. $5 per person.

• Friday 10 AM – 5 PM
• Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM
• Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM

Longboat Rides

Basin of Marina | Fri 11 AM - 4 PM, Sat 9:15 AM - 4:30 PM, Sun 10 AM - 4:30 PM
A classic Festival experience – Journey back in time aboard replicas of Captain George Vancouver’s boats from 1792. Work together as a crew to row and sail aboard these 26’ open boats with 8 rowing stations. Ages 12 and up. Signups start at 9 AM each morning at the longboat dock in the northeast corner of the marina.

Rowboat Rides

Off the Beach | Fri & Sat 10 AM-6 PM, Sun 10 AM-2 PM | Free!
The whole family can enjoy a peaceful rowboat ride in Port Townsend Bay! Rowboat Rides are weather permitting!

Paddlewheeler Rides

Try a small paddlewheeler made by our school program participants—these have become a huge hit with kids! For ages 12 and under. Free!

Paddlewheeler Rides

Try a small paddlewheeler made by our school program participants—these have become a huge hit with kids! For ages 12 and under. Free!

Free Sails on La Vie en Rose

Purchase your tickets to the Wooden Boat Festival by August 15 and be entered into a drawing to win a free two-hour sail on La Vie en Rose at Wooden Boat Festival—a $575 value!

Three lucky winners will be drawn for private sails and the winners can bring up to six people.

Get Tickets

Paddleboard Rides in the Pool

The Point | Fri 10 AM - 6 PM, Sat 10 AM - 6 PM, Sun 10 AM - 12 PM
All ages can try out a paddleboard in the paddleboard pool on the Point. This is great for those who have never been on a paddleboard before.

Bumblebee Sailboat Rides

Kids 5 and under can try out sailing on the Angus Rowboat Bumblebee sailboat! The Bumblebee is a sailor for the pint-sized mariner—perfect for tiny tikes, aged 1-5. It comes with a sail or a motor!

Bumblebee Sailboat Rides

Kids 5 and under can try out sailing on the Angus Rowboat Bumblebee sailboat! The Bumblebee is a sailor for the pint-sized mariner—perfect for tiny tikes, aged 1-5. It comes with a sail or a motor!

Left Coast Charters

Traditional Gaff Rigged Catboat, built at the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building in 2009. This Crosby Design is Eco-Friendly with Electric auxiliary propulsion. Passengers are welcome to take the helm, help to raise sails, or sit back and enjoy the ride. Family Friendly sail, 6 guests max.

Special Festival Pricing $40 per person - One Hour Festival Sail

• Friday | 10-11AM, 12-1PM, 2-3PM, 4-5PM
• Saturday | 10-11AM, 12-1PM, 2-3PM, 4-5PM
• Sunday | 10-11AM, 12-1PM, 2:30-4:30PM
(2 hour sail by sail $80.00 per person)

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